AAOS Releases New Guidelines for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Hip

An orthopaedic and spinal surgeon with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Stuart Remer now works as a consultant in New York. In addition to a long and accomplished surgical career, Dr. Stuart Remer has maintained membership in a number of professional organizations over the years, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Last April, AAOS rolled out brand new guidelines for surgeons’ treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. These guidelines lay out recommendations for helping to manage pain and promote mobility, calling for pre-surgery treatment methods such as corticosteroid shots, non-narcotic pain medicines, and physical therapy. Also, the new recommendations call for using neither hyaluronic acid nor glucosamine sulfate, because there is currently no evidence these treatments are effective in improving overall outcomes. 

These new guidelines also show that patients with a BMI over 30, making them moderately obese, may score lower on outcome indexes after a total hip replacement compared to patients who aren’t obese. Both groups, however, report nearly the same levels of satisfaction with the procedure. To read the guidelines in full, visit www.orthoguidelines.org/topic?id=1021.